Giro Rosa 2015 Stage 3

Lucinda Brand claimed stage 3 of this year’s Giro Rosa in Mantova, after emerging victorious out of a nine-rider sprint finale – ahead of Valentina Scandolara (Orica-AIS) and third place finisher Elena Cecchini (Lotto Soudal Ladies).

Meanwhile, yesterday’s stage winner and overall race leader, Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans), finished in the second group at 1:15 minutes behind Brand. However, the American rider still managed to maintain her grip on the overall race lead, with a 2 second advantage over Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) and five seconds over Ashlegh Moolman-Pasio (Bigla Pro Cycling Team).

Race Highlights

Today’s 130 kilometer stage from Curtatone to Mantove was mostly flat, with only one climb in Monzambano – nearly 80 kilometers from the finish.

Lizzie Williams (Orica-AIS) was the first rider to initiate an attack during today’s stage, but she was eventually caught by the peloton before the day’s only climb, wherein Flavia Oliveira (Ale Cipollini) grab all of the points in the mountains competition.

Scandolara said after the stage, “I am double-happy because this morning I didn’t feel so good,” Scandolara said. “In the race I was conscious of this because it was even warmer today than yesterday so I tried not to waste energy in the break.”

“It came down to a sprint and I knew Brand was really fresh because she never worked in the breakaway, she was just protecting her GC rider.

“As we came into the last corner I had to take first position, but I knew it was too long to start the sprint myself. So Brand started it and squeezed me on the left so I had to take the long way to sprint. I was gaining and gaining but it was just too short to the line.”

The Giro Rosa continues tomorrow, with a 103 kilometer flat stage from Pioltello to Pozzo d’Adda near Milan.